BLOGS
Protests in Lebanon
The catastrophic explosions in Beirut on August 4, which left more than 200 dead and 6,000 injured, revived anti-government protests in Lebanon. Last Sunday, thousands of demonstrators threw stones in central Beirut, where the Lebanese parliament is located. The protests, which began peacefully, have since turned violent, with police firing tear gas canisters at protesters, who threw firecrackers and debris in return. A day earlier, protesters stormed the Lebanese ministries of foreign affairs, economy and environment to express their anger.
Why the Beirut explosion revived the protests: The recent explosion was caused by 2,700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate stored for six years in a warehouse in the city’s port. Their negligence on the part of officials sparked widespread public anger, which had already been stoked over the past year due to serious financial problems.According to a BBC report, the Beirut explosion caused $ 3 billion in damage and the country’s collective loss is estimated at $ 15 billion. Much of the capital has been devastated.The country’s economic recession, at the center of which has been a currency crisis, has resulted in large-scale business closings and soaring commodity prices, causing social unrest.
Protracted protests in Lebanon: Protests in Lebanon began in October 2019 after the government announced plans for new taxes during the 2020 budget season, on everything from tobacco to social media platforms like WhatsApp. Public anger escalated and turned into large-scale protests against an unstable economy, sectarian government, unemployment and corruption, and also forced a reorganization of the country’s leadership.Massive protests that dragged on for weeks died down closer to Christmas and New Years, only to restart in mid-January. In March of this year, the Lebanese government placed the country on a state of emergency to fight the spread of the coronavirus, closing land and sea ports and raising fears that this could cause a further setback in an already besieged country. Lebanon’s financial crisis resulted in default on sovereign debt and also affected the value of its currency. During the emergency, the country’s security forces ordered the withdrawal of the protest camps and restrictions were placed on public gatherings. Many, including sections of the country’s press, have interpreted the government’s decision to eliminate these camps as a measure to quell protests.
Another change of government: Lebanon was ruled by a political accord that ended the 1975-1990 civil war, which distributes power and positions of responsibility among the country’s Shiites, Sunnis and Christians. While this complex sectarian system has been largely successful in keeping the peace in the country, it has made decision-making extremely difficult, with long periods of political stagnation.Protests last October saw the dismissal of West-backed prime minister Saad Hariri, who led a government of national unity dominated by factions linked to the militant group Hezbollah. Prime Minister Hassan Diab’s government, which has lasted for months, has also resigned. On Friday, Diab promised early parliamentary elections as a solution to the country’s structural crisis.
Project Dolphin
In his Independence Day speech this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the government’s plan to launch a Dolphin Project. The proposed project aims to save marine and river dolphins.
What will the Dolphin project do?
Modi said in his speech that Project Dolphin will be in line with Project Tiger, which has helped increase the tiger population. Such an initiative was approved in principle in December last year, at the first meeting of the Ganges National Council (NGC), chaired by the Prime Minister.
“There is a need to conduct a special conservation program for the Ganges dolphin, which is a national aquatic animal and also a Ganges indicator species spread over several states,”
said the meeting minutes.
- So far, the National Mission for a Clean Ganges (NMCG), which implements the government’s flagship program, Namami Gange, has taken initiatives to save the dolphins. From now on, the Dolphin project is expected to be implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change.
What is the Ganges dolphin?
- The Ganges river system is home to a wide variety of aquatic life, including the Ganges dolphin (Platanista gangetica).
- The Ganges dolphin is one of the five species of river dolphins found in the world.
- It is mainly found in the Indian subcontinent, particularly in the Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems.
- The Ganges Dolphin Conservation Action Plan 2010-2020 describes male dolphins between 2 and 2.2 meters in length and females just over 2.4-2.6 m.
- An adult dolphin could weigh between 70 kg and 90 kg. The Ganges dolphins’ breeding season runs from January to June.
- They feed on various species of fish, invertebrates, etc.
Why is it important to save dolphins?
- There was a time when the Ganges dolphins could be seen in various places, from its delta in the Bay of Bengal to upstream in the foothills of the Himalayas.
- It has also been found in the tributaries of the Ganges.
- Some experts have reported that during the 19th century dolphins were seen in the Yamuna as far as Delhi.
- However, the construction of dams and dams and the increase in pollution have led to a decrease in the population of aquatic animals in rivers in general and dolphins in particular.
- Aquatic life is an indicator of the health of river ecosystems. The Ganges dolphin being at the top of the food chain, the protection of the species and its habitat will ensure the conservation of the aquatic life of the river.
Have other governments used aquatic life as an indicator of the health of a hydrographic system?
- All over the world there have been such examples. For example, the Rhine Action Plan (1987) of the International Commission for the Protection of the Rhine (ICRP), representing Germany, Switzerland, France, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, recovered salmon.
- The return of migrating fish is considered an indicator of improving river health. Salmon used to migrate from the North Sea to the Rhine every year and spawn, but this stopped when pollution in the river increased.
- After a chemical accident in 1986 which caused the death of fish and microorganisms, the action plan was launched.
- This led to an improvement in the water quality of the river and the salmon started to return.
“While salmon were considered lost in the Rhine in 1958, today several hundred salmon from the North Sea return each year to accessible tributaries of the Rhine and reproduce naturally there”,
states Assessment Rhine 2020 and the ICPR report.
How many Ganges dolphins are left?
Although no exact tally is available, various estimates suggest that the Ganges dolphin population in India could be around 2,500 to 3,000. However, the Minister of State for Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Babul Supriyo, had told Lok Sabha last year that there were around 1,272 dolphins in Uttar Pradesh and 962 in Assam. Increased pollution in the Ganges has reduced the number over the years.
What has been done so far to save the Ganges dolphins?
Although efforts to save them began in the mid-1980s, estimates suggest the numbers have not increased as a result. The Ganges dolphin continues to be listed as endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.
WILDLIFE ACT PROTECTION
After the launch of Ganga Action Plan in 1985, the government on November 24, 1986 included Gangetic dolphins in the First Schedule of the Indian Wildlife (Protection), Act 1972. This was aimed at checking hunting and providing conservation facilities such as wildlife sanctuaries. For instance, Vikramshila Ganges Dolphin Sanctuary was established in Bihar under this Act.
CONSERVATION PLAN
The government also prepared The Conservation Action Plan for the Ganges River Dolphin 2010-2020, which “identified threats to Gangetic Dolphins and impact of river traffic, irrigation canals and depletion of prey-base on Dolphins populations”.
NATIONAL AQUATIC ANIMAL
On October 5, 2009, the then Prime Minister Manmohan singh while chairing the maiden meeting of the National Ganga River Basin Authority, declared the Gangetic river dolphin as the national aquatic animal. A notification was issued by the Ministry of Environment and Forests the following year. Now, the National Mission for Clean Ganga celebrates October 5 as National Ganga River Dolphin Day.
Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana (PMVVY)
The Union Cabinet has extended the date of “Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana (PMVVY)”, a pension scheme for people over 60, for a period of three years. The social security scheme for the elderly will be valid until March 2023. The government has set its annual rate of return at 7.4% for the 2020-2021 fiscal year. The government has allowed the interest rate to be reset every year, according to an official statement. Launched in 2017, Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana (PMVVY) offers a guaranteed pension payment to seniors every month. The program can be purchased offline and online through Life Insurance Corp. of India. Seniors have until March 31 to invest in Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana, which offers a higher return than any bank.
Anyone aged 60 or above can take advantage of the Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana (PMVVY) program. There is no entry age. You can invest a maximum amount of Rs.15 lakh as part of the Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana (PMVVY) program.
The term of the policy is set at 10 years, you can purchase the PMVVY program from Life Insurance Corp. of India. This pension plan is available in offline and online mode. You can visit the nearest LIC agency or connect to the official LIC website to purchase this annuity plan. An insured can return the policy within 15 days of purchase. If the policy is purchased online, the free consultation period is 30 days.
The scheme offers an assured return of 7.4% per year for the financial year 2020-21. Seniors can receive a minimum pension of Rs 1,000 per month, depending on the amount invested in the plan. The maximum pension amount is limited to ₹ 10,000 per month. The minimum investment has also been revised to Rs 1.56,658 for a pension of Rs 12,000 per year and Rs 1.62,162 to obtain a minimum pension amount of ₹ 1000 per month according to the plan, according to the official press release. The insured will receive a pension amount based on the premium granted by an individual.
The Cabinet has implemented “an annual reinstatement of the guaranteed interest rate from April 1 of the fiscal year, in accordance with the revised rate of return of the Savings Plan for Seniors (SCSS) within the limit of 7.75 %, with a new evaluation of the plan at any time exceeding this threshold “, according to the press release. The elderly have the possibility of obtaining the pension in four ways: monthly, quarterly, semi-annually and annually. The first pension payment is made after one year, six months, three months or one month from the date of purchase, depending on the method of payment of the pension. Payment of the pension is made via the NEFT payment system or activated by Aadhaar.
Anyone can apply for loans after three years. The maximum loan that can be granted is 75% of the purchase price. The interest on the loan will be recovered with the payment of the pension which is made via the NEFT or Aadhaar payment system. If the retiree dies during the term of the contract, the benefits will be transferred to the candidates.
An insured person can return the policy within 15 days of purchase. If the policy is purchased online, the free consultation period is 30 days. The Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana (PMVVY) regime does not provide for tax deduction under section 80C of the Income Tax Act. Returns from this scheme will be taxed in accordance with current tax laws. The plan is exempt from the Goods and Services Tax (GST).
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Pony Ma
Ma Huateng, also known as Pony Ma, is one of the richest people on the planet. It is behind Shenzhen, Chinese internet and entertainment giant Tencent, best known for the messaging app WeChat and PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG).
- But for many, especially in India, ordinary people still don’t seem to know who Ma is. That said, here are some lesser-known facts about the billionaire CEO of Tencent, the Chinese equivalent of Facebook or Google.
- Ma Huateng’s nickname is Pony Ma. Pony’s last name, Ma, is the Chinese word for horse: hence the nickname. In fact, Tencent’s Chinese name, teng xin, is also based on horses.
- Ma Huateng was born in 1971, in Dongfang, Hainan, China. he is said to have a modest upbringing, as her father was a manager of the Shenzhen port.
- In 1989, Ma enrolled at Shenzhen University to study software engineering. Ma is a longtime delegate of the National People’s Congress (NPC).
- After graduating with a degree in computer science from Shenzhen University, Ma began her career as a programmer at China Motion Telecom Development, a company known for developing pager software, where he earn $ 176 (Rs 12,891) per month.
- After leaving CMMobile, Ma got a job at Shenzhen Runxun Communications. There he worked in the Internet call services research and development department.
- In 1998, at age 27, Ma, along with four of her classmates, co-founded Tencent. The company’s first product was the Internet instant messaging software QICQ or Open ICQ.
- Despite the fact that QICQ was an Israeli IM ICQ scam, the service became extremely popular in China within a few months of its launch.
- At one point, QICQ had 350 million users in China. Subsequently, Tencent changed the name of the service to QQ after AOL (American Online} filed a complaint for violation of QICQ domain names.
- The big moment came in Ma’s life when he launched WeChat in 2011. WeChat is the most popular messaging service in China, behind only WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger.
- Many say that it is impossible to communicate in China without WeChat. The app, which has more than 1 billion users, can be used for payments, taxi reservations, purchases, and even games.
- Ma, 48, is the richest man in China with a net worth of more than $ 52 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
- It owns 9.7% of Tencent. Not many people know that Prosus, a subsidiary of South African consumer internet conglomerate Naspers, owns 31% of Tencent. The stake is currently worth more than $ 120 billion.
- Ma’s Tencent is also the world’s largest video game publisher. His company owns a 100% stake in Riot Games, which is best known for the popular game League of Legends.
- Tencent also owns a 40% stake in Fortnite Epic Games studio and has a stake in Bluehole, the developer behind PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG).
- It also invested $ 8.6 billion to acquire an 84.3% stake in Helsinki-based Supercell, the studio behind Clash of Clans and Clash Royale.
- The Chinese tech company also has minority stakes in Ubisoft and Activision Blizzard. About 60% of Tencent’s $ 19.13 billion in gaming revenue last year came from mobile games.
- In 2011, Ma’s Tencent became the first Chinese company to cross the $ 500 billion market valuation mark, outperforming Facebook.
- Earlier this year, in July, Tencent’s market capitalization once again surpassed Facebook’s market valuation. Tencent’s market capitalization currently hovers around $ 509.7 billion.
- Over the years, Ma’s Tencent has invested in several large technology companies.
- It owns a 5% stake in Tesla and a 10% stake in Snap Inc. Tencent also owns 9% of Spotify, while the latter company owns 9% of Tencent Music.
- Ma is known to keep a low profile in the media. His classmates described him as “shy” and “freaky” as a child. Mom’s idol is the late Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple.
- When Ma was young, he wanted to be an astronomer. Although Ma eventually decided to become a computer engineer, her interest in space exploration did not disappear.
- In 2016, Tencent invested in three startups Moon Express, Satellogic, and Planetary Resources involved in space exploration.
- Ma met his wife through the QQ messaging service, which was developed by Tencent. Ma’s daughter Ma Manlin is reportedly dating the son of Dalian Wanda Group founder Wang Jianlin, who is the founder of China’s largest real estate development company.
PM’s speech at UN ECOSOC
The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) is one of the 6 main organs of the United Nations system created by the United Nations Charter in 1945. It is made up of 54 United Nations members elected by the General Assembly. ECOSOC coordinates the economic, social and related activities of the fourteen United Nations specialized agencies, technical commissions and five regional commissions. It serves as a central forum for discussing international economic and social issues and for formulating policy recommendations for Member States and the United Nations system. Is responsible for:
- Promote higher standards of living, full employment and economic and social progress,
- Identify solutions to international economic, social and health problems,
- Facilitate international cultural and educational cooperation; and
- Promote universal respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.
In fulfilling its mandate, ECOSOC consults with academics, representatives of the business sector and over 3,200 registered non-governmental organizations. The work of the Council takes place through various preparatory sessions and meetings, round tables and round tables with members of civil society throughout the year, to discuss the organization of its work. Once a year, it meets for a four-week substantive session in July, alternating between New York and Geneva. The annual session is organized into five segments which include:
- The high-level segment;
- The coordination segment;
- The segment of operational activities;
- The humanitarian affairs segment;
- The general segment.
The role of India in the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs
In his opening speech to the United Nations Economic and Social Council, on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the United Nations, Prime Minister Modi stressed the role of India in achieving the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. Mentioning the role of India, he mentioned that India had also helped other countries to achieve their Sustainable Development Goals.
- The event held on July 17 is of particular significance, as it was the first time Prime Minister Modi has addressed all members of the UN since India was elected as non-permanent member of the Security Council on June 17, 2020 (for the period 2021-22).
- On June 17, 2020, India won the non-permanent seat for the eighth time with 184 votes out of 192 respondents. India became the only candidate for the Asia-Pacific regional group.
- There has been enormous pressure for the country to become a permanent member of the five national groupings, including the United Kingdom, the United States, China, Russia and France.
- The first meeting of the United Nations ECOSOC was held on January 23, 1946 in London.
- India was the first President of ECOSOC in 1946 and the inaugural Presidency of ECOSOC was held by Shri Ramaswami Mudaliar of India.
Highlights of PM’s speech at UN ECOSOC
In fight against Covid-19, our grass-roots health system is helping India ensure one of the best recovery rates in the world,
UN was originally born from furies of World War II; today, fury of COVID-19 pandemic provides context for its rebirth and reform,
In our joint fight against Covid-19, India has extended medical and other assistance to over 150 countries,
said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday at High-Level Segment of the United Nations Economic and Social Council Session, 2020, via video conference.
“Today, the United Nations brings together 193 member countries. Along with its membership, the expectations from the organisation have also grown”
“From the very beginning, India has actively supported the UN’s development work and the Ecosoc. The first president of Ecosoc was an Indian. India also contributed to shaping the Ecosoc agenda”
“Today, through our domestic efforts, we are again playing a salient role in achieving Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals. We are also supporting other developing countries in meeting their Sustainable Development Goals”
“India firmly believes that path to achieve sustainable peace and prosperity is through multilateralism. Our motto is ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikaas, Sabka Vishwas’ – meaning ‘Together, for everyone’s growth, with everyone’s trust’. This resonates with the core SDG principle of leaving no one behind,”
“In India, we have tried to make the fight against the pandemic a people’s movement, by combining the efforts of Government and civil society”
“COVID-19 pandemic has severely tested resilience of all nations. In fight against COVID, our grass-roots health system is helping India ensure one of the best recovery rates in the world”
“Our ‘Housing for All’ programme will ensure that every Indian will have a safe and secure roof over their head by 2022, when India completes 75 years as an independent nation”
“Multilateralism needs to represent reality of contemporary world. Only reformed multilateralism with reformed UN at its center can meet aspirations of humanity. While celebrating 75 years of UN, let us pledge to reform global multilateral system. UN was originally born from furies of World War II and today, fury of COVID-19 pandemic provides context for its rebirth and reform,”
said PM Modi.
Plasma Bank in Delhi
Delhi government will establish a plasma bank to fight the coronavirus and also urging those who have recovered from the infection to donate plasma to help other patients; The state government will arrange transportation to the plasma bank for those wishing to donate.
“The Delhi government will establish a plasma bank, I ask people to donate plasma to save the lives of COVID-19 patients,”
Arvind Kejriwal said at a press conference,
Adding that the plasma bank will work in the capital next two business days. He said the state government has so far conducted clinical trials of plasma therapy on 29 patients with coronavirus, and the results were encouraging.
“I ask everyone (who has recovered from the coronavirus) that it is rare that they can save lives. I ask you to come and make a donation. This is the true service of God,”
said the Chief Minister.
- The plasma bank, which will be located at the Institute of Liver and Biliary Science in Vasant Kunj, south of Delhi, will serve as the coordination between donors and recipients of plasma, the government will set up a hotline for inquiries about donating plasma.
- One of the most widely discussed methods of treating the disease caused by the new coronavirus is plasma therapy, which involves the transfusion of plasma from a convalescent coronavirus patient to a critically ill patient.
- The blood of a recovering patient is rich in antibodies produced by the body to fight the virus, which should help the critically ill patient to recover.
- Delhi, the state with the second highest number of coronavirus cases in India, has seen a disturbing increase in cases in recent weeks. Delhi recorded 2,889 new infections and 65 deaths on Sunday, bringing the state’s death toll to 83,077 cases.
- Delhi reported the first success of plasma therapy in India when a 49-year-old man who had received coronavirus treatment was removed from the ventilator support. Plasma therapy clinical trials began in Delhi in April.
- The center called it an experimental procedure and said “that there was no concrete evidence to support plasma therapy as a treatment for coronaviruses.”
- However, it has been reported that patients with COVID-19 are cured after undergoing treatment.
What is Plasma Therapy?
- The use of plasma therapy involves the injection of plasma from blood components taken from a patient with a cured coronavirus in a positive case. The plasma of a healed patient is considered to contain antibodies to the virus that increase the immune system’s response to the disease.
- Plasma is the almost clear liquid that remains after the elimination of red and white blood cells and platelets from the blood. Anyone cured with Covid could donate plasma, and active Covid patients admitted to private and government hospitals could benefit.
- But only a doctor can recommend plasma therapy, and no Covid patient can look for it at random. After the recommendation, the hospital in question must inform ILBS for plasma.
- “Last week, the Plasma therapy at Lok Nayak Hospital has helped reduce the death rate by around 50%. Data shared by the government on Sunday showed that the public hospital has witnessed 51 deaths in the week of June 20 to 26, up from 100 deaths from June 6 to 12.
- The Delhi government also obtained Center approval for 200 more plasma therapy trials, after which they also closed Rajiv Gandhi Super Specialty Hospital.
Personality of this week: Yoshihide Suga
Yoshihide Suga; The new leader has worked for decades as a shadow power in Japanese politics. Among the few definitive things that can be said about the new Japanese prime minister, Yoshihide Suga, is that he doesn’t wear his heart on his sleeve.
- As the right-hand man to his predecessor, Shinzo Abe, Suga has been answering questions from the press almost daily for years. And yet, despite his public role, he has revealed little about himself other than gnome nuggets such as his fondness for pancakes and peaches. But while his inner world remains enigmatic, his ability to distract himself, his ability to work hard, and his unwavering loyalty to Abe have proven enough to propel him to the head of the nation.
- Mr. Suga’s journey to the top of politics has been on a very different path than his mentor. While Mr. Abe’s lineage was so robust that it gave his ascension almost a sense of inevitability (his maternal grandfather and great-uncle were former PMs), Suga, 71, is a man who was made for himself.
- The son of a strawberry farmer, he was born in the snowy twilight of rural Akita province in northern Japan. To complete his university studies in Tokyo, he had several odd jobs, including in a cardboard factory and a fish market.
- His friends at school say it would have been difficult for them to imagine his future success. Hiroshi Kawai, a high school classmate, told the New York Times: “We have sayings like ‘great talents take a long time to mature’ and ‘a wise hawk hides its claws.’ Now I have realized that these words were created for Mr. Suga.”
Entrance to politics
After graduation, Mr. Suga joined an electrical maintenance company, but quickly left salary life to become secretary to a parliamentarian.
- More than a decade later, he won a seat in the Yokohama City Assembly Harbor, but it wasn’t until 1996 that he made a breakthrough in national politics by being elected to the House of Representatives with a candidacy from the Liberal Democratic Party.
- His most cunning maneuver was to tie his luck to the star of fate in the political firmament Shinzo Abe. During Mr. Abe’s two terms as Prime Minister, between July 2006 and September 2007, and from December 2012, Mr. Suga was by his side, maneuvering behind the scenes, executing policies and helping to line up bureaucrats hard drive.
- It appeared as the yin of his boss’s yang. Where Mr. Abe was charismatic, Mr. Suga was modest, even severe. Abe operated under the spotlight; Mr. Suga was comfortable in the shadows.
- Abe had a clear (but fruitless) vision of his country. Mr. Suga avoided grand visions of practical goals, such as renewing regulations on the use of dams to better prepare for natural disasters.
- But what he lacked in dynamism he made up for with fierce determination. Your daily regimen for the past eight years is a window into that tenacity.
- It is known that Mr. Suga woke up every morning at 5 a.m. M. Walk 40 minutes, followed by 100 sit-ups. He arrived at the office at 9 a.m. and he attended two dozen daily meetings, in addition to holding press conferences. I preferred to eat soba noodles for breakfast, which are easy to drink, to cut down on the time spent eating. For a drink (Mr. Suga is a teetotaler), he completed another 100 sit-ups.
- His achievements as Abe’s chief secretary, among other things, have led telecommunications companies to cut expensive cell phone prices and open borders to more foreign workers.
- He also helped negotiate a major trade deal with the EU and keep the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade zone alive despite America’s abrupt withdrawal under Donald Trump.
- But as prime minister, Suga will have to lead, rather than implement, his professional specialty until now. He has promised continuity and stability, and most analysts do not expect him to break significantly from Abe’s policies.
- But the formidable challenges Japan faces require new ideas. Mr. Suga assumes command at a time when the management of the administration of the COVID-19 pandemic is seen as confusing and the Japanese economy is in dire straits; all this in an aging demographic and unpredictable geostrategic context in the face of an assertive China, a belligerent North Korea and an unpredictable America.
- It’s unclear whether Suga will choose to hold Abe’s remainder of term until next year, or go to the polls earlier to win a popular term. Absent an election, he’s unlikely to rock the boat with a bold policy.
- What is less predictable is Suga’s final fate in the history books: will he join the vagueness of the forgettable and fleeting prime ministers who have been a standard feature of the Japanese political landscape, or will he emerge? he like a hawk whose claws will be sharp? enough to make your mark?
Pangong Tso Lake
On Saturday evening, the Indian military thwarted an attempt by China to change the status quo near the Royal Line of Control (LAC) by deploying its troops to a previously undeployed area on the southern shore of Pangong Tso Lake in Ladakh.
” Chinese troops had violated the consensus they had reached in military and diplomatic clashes during the ongoing clash in eastern Ladakh and had led provocative military movements to change the status quo”.
The military said in a statement on Monday morning
While Lake Pangong has been one of the most controversial areas in the ongoing military standoff in eastern Ladakh for nearly four months, activity has so far been limited to the northern shore.
What is Pangong Lake?
- Popularized by the Hindi film 3 Idiots, Pangong Tso is an endorheic (landlocked) lake that is found partly in the Ladakh region of India and partly in Tibet.
- The name reflects the mixed heritage of the lake; Pangong in Ladakhi means a large concavity, the word Tso in Tibetan means lake.
- Located at an elevation of about 4,270 m, it is a narrow lake nearly 135 km long (6 km at its widest point) and shaped like a boomerang. Its total area is over 600 square kilometers.
- The Karakoram mountain range, which crosses Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, China and India, with heights of over 6,000 meters, including K2, the second highest peak in the world, ends on the north bank of the Pangong Tso. Its southern shore also has high shattered mountains that slope down to Spangur Lake in the south.
- The water in the lake, although crystal clear, is brackish and therefore cannot be drunk. The lake freezes over during the winter, which also allows some movement of vehicles.
Who controls Pangong Tso?
- Almost two-thirds of the lake is controlled by China, with about 45 km under Indian control. The LAC, which runs north to south, crosses the western part of the lake, aligned from east to west.
- But India and China have unstable borders, and the perception of CLA differs across multiple sectors, including Pangong Tso.
- On the north shore of the lake, according to India, the international border is near Fort Khurnak, a 19th century ruin. But LAC, according to India, is about 15 km to the west.
- On the north shore, there are spurs that go into the lake, identified as fingers. India says BAC goes through finger 8; China claims it is further west.
- Compared to the northern margin, the difference in perception of LAC is not very large in the southern margin.
- A former brigade commander in the area said perception could differ from 100 to 200m and lacked prominent features such as fingers.
- These “different perceptions of the LAC”, as the military called it, are one of the main causes of the clashes.
What is Pangong Tso’s current status?
- The north shore was one of two points in eastern Ladakh which experienced friction in early May which led to the clash which is now nearly four months old.
- On the night of May 5-6, the troops engaged in heavy hand-to-hand combat, although Chinese soldiers were armed with rods and nails with nails.
- There was a similar fight in the Galwan Valley on May 6. However, these violent clashes did not result in deaths, unlike the June 15 clash in the Galwan Valley in which India lost 20 soldiers and an undeclared number of Chinese soldiers were also killed.
- Since then, China has changed the status quo and its troops had occupied the region between Finger 8 and Finger 4, which was patrolled by both but was previously not occupied by either side.
- Chinese troops continue to occupy Finger 4 Ridge, although they have withdrawn from Finger 4 base to Finger 5 base. But China has strengthened its positions in the region.
- The slight setback was part of the initial disengagement process after the June 15 clashes. However, there has been no improvement in the situation since mid-July and negotiations have stalled.
How are the two banks different?
- Until this weekend, the south shore had been calm during the clash. Army sources said India has traditionally been more present on the South Rim compared to the North Rim, due to its proximity to areas such as Chushul and Rezang La.
- The former brigade commander explained that the north shore has only become the center of attention in recent years, due to clashes between the patrol units.
- Traditionally, the South Rim has been in the spotlight, as it is just north of the access to Chushul. This is also the reason why the south shore has always had a stronger presence of Indian forces.
- The region south of the lake is also of strategic importance for both countries.
- The area, known as the Chushul Approach, is one of the few areas that can be used as a launch pad for an offensive, due to the plains.
- During the 1962 conflict, both banks witnessed a Chinese offensive and India lost territory in both; first in Sirijiap, then the entire north coast on October 22; on the south coast, India had to abandon its post complex at Yula and move to an elevated area north of Gurung Hill.
- Over the weekend, the army said Indian troops “had anticipated this PLA activity on the southern shore of Pangong Tso Lake, taken steps to strengthen our positions and thwart Chinese intentions to change them unilaterally.” made in the field ”.
- India has taken a more advantageous position, albeit still on its LAC side, to prevent China from meddling in the region.
Padmanabhaswamy temple
On Monday Supreme Court of India, sided with the former royal family of Travancore for the administration and control of the Padmanabha Swamy temple in Kerala. Resolving the long-standing dispute, the High Court quashed the January 2011 decision of the Kerala High Court, which had ruled that the state government should take control of the temple from a trust led by the old family royal.
- The temple became the center of attention after the high court of justice in May 2011 ordered a detailed inventory of the objects in the vaults of the temple, which have long been said to be of immense wealth. When five of its six vaults, known as “Kallara” in Malayalam, were opened in accordance with the court order, a vast treasure trove of gold and other priceless objects were discovered.
- The intrinsic value of the treasure has been estimated at more than Rs 90,000 crore. One of the vaults, Kallara B, could not be opened and the opening of the vaults was suspended by the Supreme Court.
- In August 2012, Supreme Lawyer Gopal Subramanium was appointed Amicus Curiae (friend of the court) by the Supreme Court, he filed a voluminous report in court in April 2014 alleging serious mismanagement of the temple by the trust and accusing the royal family for various reasons.
- The temple was under the control of a trust led by the family of former royalty members until April 2014, when the superior court, by a crucial interim order, handed over its management to a four-member administrative committee headed by a district judge.
- The legal origin of the dispute lies in the Accession Agreement (Agreement) signed between the Kings of Travancore with the Government of India in 1949, by which the Princely State of Travancore became part of the Indian Union.
- Article VII of the agreement states that the administration of the Padmanabha Swamy Temple will be carried out, under the control and supervision of the sovereign of Travancore, by an executive officer appointed by the sovereign.
- The main legal question was whether Utradam Thirunal Marthanda Varma, the younger brother of Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma, the last Travancore sovereign, could claim to be the “Travancore sovereign” after the leader’s death in 1991.
- The court examined this claim in the limited sense of this term, in accordance with the Travancore-Cochin Hindu Religious Institutions Act of 1950, to claim ownership, control and administration of the ancient Sree Padmanabha Swamy temple.
- All temples that were under the control and management of the former princely states of Travancore and Cochin were under the control of the Councils of Travancore and Cochin Devaswom before 1947.
- However, in accordance with the instrument of accession signed between the states Princely and the government of In India, since 1949, the administration of the Padmanabhaswamy temple was “entrusted” to the sovereign of Travancore.
- The state of Kerala was carved in 1956, but the temple continued to be administered by royalty in the past.
- In 1971, the private scholarships of former members of the royal family were abolished by a constitutional amendment that removed their rights and privileges.
- This decision was confirmed in court in 1993 and the last Travancore leader to die during the course of this case has continued to handle the affairs of the temple until then.
- In 1991, when the last brother of the sovereign took over the temple, he caused a fury among the faithful who transferred the courts to a long legal battle.
- The government has joined; supporting the petitioner’s claims that Marthanda Varma had no legal right to claim control or administration of the temple.
- The character of the temple has always been recognized as a public institution governed by law. The argument of the royal family is that the administration of the temple would belong to them in perpetuity, according to custom.
- Although the last sovereign Balarama Varma executed a detailed will that bequeathed his personal property, he did not include the Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple as his personal property or dealt with it in his will.
- One consequence of who has administrative rights to the temple is whether the temple vaults will be open. In 2007 Marthanda Varma claimed that the temple treasures were owned by the royal family.
- Several lawsuits have been filed to oppose this claim, and a court of first instance in Kerala has issued a court order against the opening of vaults.
- In its 2011 decision, the Kerala High Court issued an order for the establishment of a board of directors to administer the affairs of the temple against the royal family.
- The appeal against this verdict was immediately filed by the royal family and the SC suspended the HC’s verdict.
- In appointing two amicus curiae: Chief Counsel Gopal Subramaniam and former Indian Controller and Auditor General Vinod Rai to prepare an inventory of items in the vaults.
- While five of the six boxes were opened, box B did not open. The royal family had claimed that a mythical curse was associated with the opening of Vault B.
- Since 2011, the process of opening the vaults has led to the discovery of treasures within the Padmanabhaswamy temple, sparking debate over who owns the temple’s assets and how to regulate them.
- Although it is a secular country that separates religion from state affairs, Hindu temples, its assets are governed by statutory laws and councils tightly controlled by state governments.
- This system was created mainly through the development of a legal framework to prohibit untouchability by treating temples as public lands; Many legal battles have resulted.
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